Joseph: The Man of Discretion

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:

His mother Mary was pledged to be married to

Joseph, but before they came together, she was found

to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  Because

Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did

not want to expose her to public disgrace,

he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Matthew 1:18-19 

In order to discover the next event in Mary's story, we have to leave the book of Luke and go to the first chapter of the book of Matthew.  Mary was pledged (espoused, engaged) to Joseph - a vow as binding as marriage.  When she returned from her visit to Elizabeth, it was obvious that she was pregnant. 

Think of the agony of mind that must have possessed Mary on her travels back to Nazareth.  How am I going to explain this?  Will anyone even listen to me?  Will Joseph believe me?  If he doesn't, will they stone me?  There is nothing overly dramatic about these questions.  Her situation really was a life or death matter.  One assumes that Mary went home to her parents’ house when she returned from  her journey.  Their shock at her condition would only deepen Mary's qualms. 

Joseph, poor fellow, was absolutely blindsided.  One can only imagine the turmoil, hurt and embarrassment that must have weighed on his mind, especially if he cared at all for Mary.  The Bible tells us that he was a good man - a righteous man, and did not want to make Mary's situation a public spectacle, leading me to believe that he genuinely cared for his young bride-to-be.  He wanted to handle this awkward situation as quietly and discreetly as possible.  The God of the universe, however, had other ideas.

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Joseph dearest, Joseph mine,

Help me cradle the child divine.

God reward thee and all that’s thine

In paradise, so prays the mother Mary.

The Faith We Sing, No. 2099